Nissan Titan XD lineup has expanded

A year ago I brought you the review of the all-new Titan XD
pickup from Nissan. This truck is placed on the market between light-
and heavy-duty models with the truckmaker calling it “Every-Duty.” At
the time of release it was only available as a crew cab model but now
the Titan XD lineup has expanded.
We recently tested the new 2017 single cab configuration that
arrived with the long cargo box. This is the work truck of the model
line, a configuration sure to be sought by fleet managers everywhere
seeking a diesel-powered alternative to the “big three” of Detroit.
Nissan now offers its 5.6-liter gasoline V-8 in all XD trucks but the
workhorse is this Cummins 5.0-liter V-8 turbo diesel that cranks out
310 horsepower and 555 lb. ft. torque. Properly equipped, this
translates to 2,420 pounds of payload capacity or 12,640 pounds max
towing capability.
While most single cab pickups these days are bare boned when it
comes to comfort and amenities, this Titan XD in SV trim was a
pleasant driving experience. It is quiet, roomy, comfortable, and
offers an impressive array of features including a host of technology.
Our tester also arrived with shift-on-the-fly 4WD with two-speed
electronic transfer case truly making it a workhorse no matter the
weather or road (or lack thereof) conditions.
The truck rides very stable but, as one would expect, can be
just a little bumpy when unloaded thanks to the beefy suspension. I
found it to be quite smooth for its class while my wife thought it
slightly rough on harsh terrain.
Springing the truck is a double-wishbone front suspension with
rigid axle/leaf spring setup under the rear with twin-tube shock
absorbers.
Braking is very capable thanks to large ventilated discs front
and rear and the Titan XD rides standard on 17-inch wheels and tires
with our tester being upgraded to 20s.
Nissan provides factory integrated brake controller, rear view monitor
with trailer guides, and trailer sway control. There is also standard
integrated gooseneck hitch as well as tow/haul mode with downhill
speed control, hill descent control, hill start assist, and active
brake limited slip differential with available electronic locking rear
differential.
A comfort and convenience package added Nissan intelligent key,
front and rear parking sensors, around view monitor with moving object
detection, blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert, side
running boards, and fog lamps.
One feature conspicuously absent in this truck is automatic
locking tailgate. This is a feature that every new truck manufacturer
is now including on their vehicles given the rampant rise of tailgate
thefts and this is a feature that should be standard equipment along
with the locking doors. The Titan XD has a lock on the tailgate but it
must be done manually by disassembling the keyfob to access the hidden
key. At the very least, Nissan should have included this feature in
the SV utility package that adds amenities to the cargo box such as
Utili-Trak channel system, under rail bed lighting, and spray-on
bedliner.
This 2017 Titan XD single cab truck is intended for the working
class and seats up to three across thanks to folding center armrest
but two find it most comfortable. It is quite roomy for occupants but
the space behind the seats is limited so trips to the store need to be
done in fair weather unless you opt for a cargo cover.
Nissan also released a new King Cab variant this year with the
single cab truck to give buyers more options in the showroom and all
XD models offer the choice of gas or diesel engines.
Nissan is also boasting the best truck warranty of
bumper-to-bumper coverage for 5-years/100,000-miles.
Pricing for the new 2017 Titan XD single cab begins at $31,090
for the base S model in 4×2 running gear with gas engine. Our 4WD
turbo diesel SV tester came with a final window sticker of $47,155.
Fuel economy is not rated for these vehicles but we found our
mileage to be better than in the crew cab model last year. We
experienced around 13 mpg in town and 15 mpg on the highway, about
average for heavy-duty trucks similarly equipped.
As Nissan rolls out its full complement of Titan and Titan XD
trucks it is proving it wants to compete with the “big dogs” but the
consumer will be the ultimate judge to determine if they accomplish
that feat.
During my time with all the Nissan trucks tested over the past
year I found many truck owners willing to give their opinion on the
Titans but few stating they would actually swap their keys for a set
from Nissan. Titan’s lead guy, Fred Diaz, is no stranger to trucks as
he was the point man at Ram before coming over to turn things around
here, so if anyone is going to make this happen it would certainly be
him.